Florida's Historic 1998 Wildfires

Caption1998 wildfires scorch Central Florida

GARY BOGDEN, ORLANDO SENTINEL

A lone house sits in the path of a raging brushfire in Brevard County on Thursday afternoon July 2,1998, just West of Mims. Wildfires devoured dozens of homes in Central Florida, and forced the evacuation of over 30,000 residents.

A lone house sits in the path of a raging brushfire in Brevard County on Thursday afternoon July 2,1998, just West of Mims. Wildfires devoured dozens of homes in Central Florida, and forced the evacuation of over 30,000 residents. (GARY BOGDEN, ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Ormond Beach firefighter Jim Clements works to save a new home in Spring Meadows in Ormond Beach. The wildfire reached the edge of the back yard, firefighters contained it.

Ormond Beach firefighter Jim Clements works to save a new home in Spring Meadows in Ormond Beach. The wildfire reached the edge of the back yard, firefighters contained it. (EILEEN MARIE GARCIA, ORLANDO SENTINEL)